Introduction
We’ve all experienced it – the sad whines and pawing from our four-legged friend when we shut them out of a room. I’ll never forget coming home to my dog Scruffy looking utterly forlorn, staring longingly at the closed bathroom door. In that moment, I wondered just why do dogs hate closed doors so much? This common canine behavior is more than a silly quirk – it can point to some deeper issues. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating reasons behind dogs’ dislike of closed doors and what you can do about it.
Territoriality
Dogs have a strong instinct to protect their territory. This territorial behavior stems from their wolf ancestors, who needed to guard their dens and resources. Closed doors create barriers that separate a dog’s territory, triggering their desire to protect what they view as theirs (VC Animal Hospitals, n.d.; The Honest Kitchen, 2015).
For some dogs, a closed door signals that part of their territory is inaccessible. They may scratch, bark, or sniff frantically at the door in an attempt to regain access and control. This territorial reaction tends to be worse when the dog is behind a barrier like a door or fence, compared to when they have free access (Vin, n.d.).
Territorial aggression issues can often be resolved through proper training, adequate exercise, introducing the dog slowly to new spaces, and rewarding calm behavior. But the territorial instinct is deeply ingrained in dogs, so closed doors will likely always produce some level of unease and desire for access.
Fear of Missing Out
Dogs are highly social animals who crave being part of the pack and involved in family activities. Being shut behind closed doors can make dogs feel extremely left out. FOMO, or Fear Of Missing Out, is a real condition that many dogs experience. When a door shuts between a dog and their family, the dog is excluded from interacting and participating in all the fun things they imagine are happening on the other side. This triggers feelings of anxiety, frustration, and sadness in the dog as they pace by the closed door.
Dogs suffering from FOMO may whine, bark, paw aggressively at the door, or even attempt to force the door open or destroy the door frame. Some dogs may even hurt themselves scratching and ramming into the door in an anxious attempt to reunite with the group. FOMO can create obsessive fixation on the closed door barrier. According to dog owners on Reddit, FOMO is a very real issue for many anxious and high-energy dogs who strongly dislike being left out of family fun.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs form incredibly strong bonds with their owners and family members. This attachment can lead to separation anxiety in some dogs when they are left alone or separated from their person behind closed doors [1]. Separation anxiety affects around 14% of dogs [2], and it’s one of the most commonly reported behavior problems in dogs.
Dogs with separation anxiety become very distressed when they are separated from their owners. A closed door is a clear sign to the dog that they have been left alone. The physical barrier of the door triggers feelings of isolation and panic. The dog may claw at the door, chew door frames or destroy objects while trying desperately to reunite with their owner [3].
Treatment for separation anxiety involves creating positive associations with being alone, establishing set routines, and providing mental stimulation. Medications may also be prescribed in extreme cases. With patience and training, dogs can learn to become more independent and accept short periods of separation behind closed doors.
Boredom
Dogs require regular mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Being left alone behind closed doors with limited activity can lead to boredom.1 When dogs feel bored and understimulated, they may focus obsessively on the closed door as a way to relieve their boredom. Scratching, whining, or trying to open the door can provide mental and even physical stimulation for an inactive dog.
If a dog is left alone for long periods with minimal exercise or interaction, the closed door may represent their isolation and lack of activity. Dogs are social, energetic animals built for activity. Being confined with minimal stimulation goes against their natural instincts. As highly trainable working animals, dogs thrive when given tasks and challenges. Without adequate exercise and training, dogs easily become restless and bored.
Ensuring your dog gets sufficient daily exercise and playtime can help reduce boredom-related behavior issues. Providing interactive toys and food puzzles when you are away also gives mental and physical stimulation. Keeping your dog engaged with regular training and activities is key to avoiding problematic behaviors from boredom and excess energy.
Curiosity
Dogs are naturally inquisitive animals. Their curiosity leads them to explore new sights, sounds, and smells. A closed door blocks off access to an area and dogs don’t like not knowing what is happening on the other side. Closed doors create mystery about what’s going on inside the room that the dog can’t see or get to. Dogs will often scratch, whine, and try to open closed doors because they are curious about what’s behind them.
As pack animals, dogs like to stick together with their family members, so a closed door also separates them from being with the people they love. Their curiosity drives them to want to investigate the unknown space behind the barrier.
According to research from Quora, some dogs may feel distressed when separated from their owners by closed doors because they don’t know what’s happening on the other side.
Training Tips
One of the best ways to train a dog to be more comfortable with closed doors is through positive reinforcement. When a dog tolerates a door being closed without reacting or tries to self-soothe, reward them with praise and a treat. This reinforces the desired calm behavior. Start with very short durations of a closed door and work up to longer periods. Always reward calm behavior and ignore anxious reactions like scratching or whining.
Providing duplicates of toys, beds, or bowls can help a dog feel more comfortable on both sides of a door. For example, leaving a Kong toy filled with treats or a favorite chew bone on each side of a door gives them something positive to focus on. Rotate the toys or beds regularly so they retain novelty and interest for your dog. This enrichment helps them feel more secure in the environment. As their confidence builds, they will learn to tolerate the door being shut with less anxiety. For more tips, see the helpful training article on separation anxiety from Rover.
Seeking Attention
Some dogs may bark at closed doors because they learn that barking will get their owner’s attention. If a dog barks at a closed door and the owner reopens the door to stop the barking, it reinforces the behavior. The dog learns that barking at the door results in the door opening and access to the owner.1 This gives the dog the reward of attention and contact from the owner. If this happens regularly, the dog can develop a habit of barking at doors for attention.
To stop dogs from barking at closed doors for attention, it’s important not to reopen the door while they are barking. Instead, owners should wait for the dog to stop barking before opening the door. This helps break the connection between barking and getting the door opened. It also teaches the dog barking does not lead to rewards or attention from the owner. With consistency over time, dogs can learn not to bark at closed doors for attention.
Helping Anxious Dogs
There are several methods that can help anxious dogs feel more comfortable when separated from their owners or left alone behind closed doors.
Medication prescribed by a veterinarian, such as fluoxetine or clomipramine, can help reduce overall anxiety and make training easier for dogs with severe separation anxiety (VCA Animal Hospitals). However medication alone is usually not enough – behavioral training and exercise are also important components of treatment.
Positive reinforcement training can help build a dog’s independence and confidence. Starting with very short separations and slowly increasing the duration helps the dog learn to be alone. Providing puzzles, toys and treats when leaving can also help distract them and build positive associations with the owner’s absence (The Humane Society).
Getting adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation is important to prevent boredom and pent-up energy from worsening separation anxiety. Walks, play time and food puzzle toys can help tire a dog out before being left alone (WebMD).
Creating positive associations with closed doors can also help ease anxiety. Briefly walking in and out of a room while providing praise and treats can help the dog learn that the owner always returns. Gradually increasing the duration behind closed doors teaches the dog to remain calm until the owner comes back.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dogs often dislike closed doors for several key reasons. These include territoriality, fear of missing out, separation anxiety, boredom, and curiosity. Dogs are pack animals who prefer to be included and not shut off from their family members. They also have a strong instinct to protect their territory and want access to all areas of their home. Simple training techniques like positive reinforcement can help dogs accept closed doors. Providing enough exercise, mental stimulation, and time with family is also key. With patience and consistency, dogs’ anxiety about closed doors can be reduced.
To manage this behavior, start training while young and reward calmness around doors. Provide plenty of toys and chews to combat boredom. Consider crate training to ease separation issues. Try high-value treats and praise to build positive associations with the door being closed. Use baby gates if needed for gradual training. Seek help from a professional if severe anxiety persists. With compassion and the right techniques, it’s possible to help dogs accept and relax around closed doors.